jensenracing77

I am not finding much information on the 71 SSI wheels. I have two sets, One set is the normal painted rim set that has the trim rings. I took them off of a 71 442 convertible that had a cowl tag date of 10E.

I also just picked up a 71 442 convertible that has the all chrome rim with no trim ring and cowl tag date of 03D.

I thought I read somewhere a long time ago that a strike had something to do with this. Is there any more information on this?

Koda

From what I read, those are leftover original SSI (chrome) style parts used for supply due to that strike you mentioned as the trim ring SSI had been the only thing in production for the previous year. These would all be 14x7 rims, additionally.

jensenracing77

Are you talking about the original 67 SSI's? I don't think those fit disc brakes?

Koda

You're correct, they don't. I meant parts, like the centers.

Mr Shifty Sidney

I think the story is an alternate wheel supplier was needed for some reason. When the wheels arrived from alternate supplier they were all chrome. Maybe a window in production that these wheels were available. They were not a different option than the "regular SS I" wheel.

I thought I had saved this information but I could not find it. Seems like Dave B or paulsolds commented on the wheels in a post.

Don

Mr Shifty Sidney

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...e-picture.html

Post 23

Don W

jensenracing77

Thanks Don.

I am surprised how much they look like the repop wheels. When I got the car I assumed they were the repops.

I wonder how long in 71 these were used. I am going to let them go with the car but I would sure like to keep them for myself.

Carshinebob

A friend of mine (Joe G.) worked at Motor Wheel engineering in 71. I'll repeat his story with out any proof of the facts.
Because of the large gains the UAW made with GM after the 70 model year strike in 69, Workers at other auto related factories were making less then UAW workers at GM plants. So in the 71 model year Motor Wheel suffered a wild cat strike and when the workers walked off they broke machinery and put Motor Wheel out of production for a long while. He said that Motor wheel had a patent on chroming just the inner disk and not the rim. When Olds looked to replace Motor Wheel as a supplier, Other vendors could only produce the wheels all chrome. ~BOB

Ctls442

As always, an educational post from Bob R.

BeenThere

Not sure I'm buying the patent story about the chrome. The 1966-1969 SSI wheels were all chrome.

oldsmobiledave

True but 6" wide and drum brake only unlike the 1971 all chrome 7" wide wheel that can be used on disc brakes.

Koda

There are some 14x6 1969 SSIs set up for disc brakes. I have a set.

jensenracing77

I would bet those are more rare than the 71 all chrome ones. I had a set a couple years ago.

1of32442w30s

Hi, my wheels may be original to the car, not 100% sure. They are black with chrome spokes. The shipping date from Lansing was March 8, 1971. Have a picture of the car from 1971 and looks like trim rings installed. Would this be correct wheels? Problem is, holes a elongated on a couple and heard this was a common problem. Is there a fix? Was the spare a SS1 or regular steel wheel? Thanks, Jim

jensenracing77

all 5 wheels will be the same. The lug holes being bad is a common problem on the SSI wheels. The chrome wheel and painted wheel was both used in 71 but the spokes were chrome on both style. What is the date on your cowl tag?

1of32442w30s

03A which must be date. Other letter/numbers ST71 and TR979. I heard there was a repair for the elongated holes. Is there? Thanks, Jim

joe_padavano

03A is the first week of March, 1971. ST71 just means it is 1971 model year. TR979 is the interior trim code (sienna vinyl bucket seats).